Bite meter



Nov. 15, 1927.

1,649,664 M. e. CARTER lBITE' METER Filed Jan. s, 1927 7g gi /f f -|r4` l i Patented Nov. 15, 1927.

UNITED STATES MOSCOW B. CARTER, OIE' FRANKLIN, TENNESSEE.

BITE METER.

A'pplicationled. January 6, 1927. Serial No. 159,427.

This invention has :tor one of its objects to render it unnecessary for a dentist to resort to guess Work in selecting artificial teeth of a length similar to the natural teeth that they are to replace, and to attain this end comprehends the provision of a novel, simple and inexpensive instrument through the medium of which the length of the natural teeth may be readily ascertained betere their extraction.

"With the foregoing and Other objects in view the invention consists ot the construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein: Y

Figure l is a view in 'front elevation ot the instrument,

Figure 2 is a View in side elevation of the instrument,

Figure 3 is a rear View ot a fragmentary portion of the instrument,

Figure l is a sectional view taken on the plane indicated by the line 4.4 ot Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a similar View taken on the plane indicated by the line 5-5 ot Figure l, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the adjustable blade and slide of the instrument.

The instrument comprises a standard 1, a blade 2 fixed to the upper end of the standard, and a blade 3 adjustable on the standard. The standard 1 is divided into millimeters commencing at the blade 2. The blades 2 and 3 extend in opposite directions from the standard 1. The blade 3 is carried by a slide 4; Which is of the split resilient type and has suiicient trictional contact with the standard 1 to prevent its casual movement thereon. The blade 3 is secured to the slide l through the medium of arms 5 which extend at right angles therefrom and are soldered or Welded to the slide.

The instrument, which is termed a bite meter7 is adapted to be used tor the purpose of ascertaining the normal bite, the high lip line, and the lovv lip line of a patient. To

ascertain the normal bite, Which is done by measuring the distance between the under side ot the chin and the nose With the teeth closed, the blade is pressed firmly against the under side or the nose and the blade 3 is adjusted on the standard 1 until it is in snug contact With the under side of the chin. The high lip line is ascertained by measuring the distance from the cutting edges of the upper trent teeth to the nose, and in measuring this distance the blade 2 is pressed firmly against the under side of the nose and the blade 8 is adjusted on the standard 1 until it is in contact with the cutting edges of said teeth, The distance betvveen the cutting edges or the lower front teeth and the under side et the chinV is measured in order to ascertain the 10W lip line, and this is done, afterA first reversing the blade 3 on the standard 1 so that it Will project therefrom in the direction olf the projection of the blade 2, by placing the blade 2 in contact with the cutting edges of said teeth and adjusting the blade 3 on the standard until it is in firm Contact with the under side or the chin. From the measurements thus obtained, the dentist Will experience no dithculty in selecting artificial teeth normal as to length.

TWhat is claimed is A bite meter comprising a graduated standard, a lixed blade extending from an end ot the standard, a resilient split sleeve adjustably mounted 0n the standard, and a blade provided With arms arranged at right angles thereto and secured to the slide.

In testimony whereof I atIiX my signature.

MOSCOW B. CARTER. 

